Nigerian sets record, scores 5.0 GPA in Russia

The Federal Ministry of Education on Wednesday in Abuja honoured Dr Victor Olalusi who scored 5.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) in Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow (RNRMU) in 2013, arguably the first in the world.

Olalusi, who was the best graduating student in the whole Russian Federation in 2013, studied in RNRMU under the Russia-Nigeria Bilateral Education Agreement.

Speaking at the event, Dr MacJohn Nwaobiala, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry said a lot of Nigerian students were brilliant but Olalusi was a genius.

He said Olalusi had become an ambassador not only to the ministry but to Nigeria and Russia.

“We have to search the Guinness Book of Records for anybody who has achieved 5.0 in a university. It is curious and strange that all those that evaluated his performance could not find reason to reduce a point from him.

“You should be the ambassador of the Federal Scholarship Board, Ministry of Education, Nigeria and the Russian Federation.

“I look forward to the day you will stand before the President to receive your honour. We have recommendations to that effect, ’’ Nwaobiala said.

He then urged Olalusi to continue to be a role model to young Nigerians and also called on him to explore opportunities in post graduate research.

In her speech, Mrs Ifeoma Agunwa, the Director, Federal Scholarship Board, said Olalusi made 5.0 GPA in all the courses he took in the seven years he studied Medicine in Russia.

She said “Olalusi never had a 4.99 GPA. Even in the Russian language class, he did not fall below 5.0.”

In her citation on Olalusi, Agunwa said he ranked as one of the best students in the faculty which handed him a place in RNRMU’s Hall of fame for academic excellence.

She said that Olalusi had registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and had the compulsory one-year housemanship training at State Specialist Hospital, Akure, Ondo State.

According to her, he is presently going through the compulsory National Youth Service scheme in Rivers.

Mr Artem Romanov, who represented the Russian Embassy, said that Olalusi’s feat was very significant for everybody in Russia.

Romanov said “Nigeria is blessed with abundant human potential which is officially acknowledged in Russia.

“It has been acknowledged in the Russian Ministry of Education that Nigerians have a lot of exceptional talents. Genetically, Nigerians grasp knowledge easily.

“Olalusi is a hardworking person. It is not easy to achieve such in Russia; it goes with talent and hard work.

“I urge you to engage your knowledge in the development of your father land.”

While showing his appreciation, Olalusi thanked God for his rare feat and also commended the Federal Government and the Scholarship Board for the opportunity given to young Nigerians to distinguish themselves.

Mr Olarewaju Olalusi, the father of Olalusi, said that his son’s achievement was as a result of hard work.

Olalusi said his son did not attend high class schools but normal public schools which spoke volumes of the standard of education in Nigeria.

He then urged parents to monitor their wards closely and make sure they were not distracted from their studies.